Refreshing Faith
When they saw the courage of Peter and John …they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
Last week two heroes of the faith inspired me. First, Dr. Ben Carson talked about his life and faith at a fundraising event. Next, I attended my friend Nancy Wilson’s memorial service via Zoom. Their gentle and personable personas might fool you. They both have lived bold and fearless lives directed by their faith.Continue Reading
My good friend Deb DeArmond has a new book that just released called We May Be Done but We’re Not Finished. It’s a compilation of stories from women of a certain age on how to make the rest of life the best of life. Here is an excerpt from Deb.
God has taken me to a new place—both physically and figuratively.
My husband and I recently joined a new church. The church is not new, but we’re new to this community. We had known for some time God directing us to become part of this congregation. There was a need for ministry he’d asked us to fill, and though it took longer than it should, we followed his direction. It wasn’t easy but God was clear.
We were warmly welcomed on arrival. And though there is comfort and confidence in the familiar, we are excited about this change and how God will use us in this new place.
Change isn’t the problem. It’s the transition that’ll wear you out.Continue Reading
Randy Alcorn once said, “The faith that can’t be shaken is the faith that has been shaken.” Have circumstances ever shaken your faith? I’m sure watching Jesus’ crucifixion shook the disciples to their toes.
After three years of witnessing Jesus’ miracles, they couldn’t understand His declaration that He was about to leave them. And how could darkness reign while He was still with them?
Mark 14-15 records Christ’s last hours. Watching Jesus suffer through false accusations, illegal trials, floggings, beatings, being spat upon, mocked, heaped with insults, and finally being nailed to a cross shook them these men who’d left everything to follow Him.
They listened in disgust as some feigned a desire to believe. “If He’d only come down from the cross. He saved others but can’t save Himself!”
They knew He could come down from the cross. Why didn’t He?Continue Reading
Do you have a Christian worldview and why does it matter? Let me share a story to illustrate the power of a worldview.
Many years ago in a faraway land, Joseph lived with his father, his father’s wife and concubines, and many half-siblings. Joseph’s mother had died when he was very young. His half-brothers hated him because Joseph was good and reminded his father of Joseph’s beloved mother. Joseph’s father trusted him and showered him with attention. And his heavenly Father placed in his heart a vivid dream to become a great leader.
One day his jealous half-brothers captured him. After some disagreement they sold him to slave traders. Joseph had never been apart from his family. He felt humiliated being auctioned like livestock. His father hadn’t raised him to be a slave. He didn’t know the customs of this foreign land. How was he supposed to act? What would become of his dream?Continue Reading